Louis Kronenberger, The Extraordinary Mr Wilkes, and Magnus Mills, A Cruel Bird Came to the Nest and Looked In

Yet another biography of that fascinating man with little talent but trouble-making. A great wit and character, but all he ever wanted was to be as corrupt and venal and self-serving and consequently as prosperous as all the other place-men. His big mouth offended the king, and he rode the wave of popular resentment against the monarchy for his own ends. True demagoguery, and what great entertainment.

Every time I read the work of Magnus Mills his understanding of the workplace shines through; I wish I was able to write and analyse so eloquently. He charts the obstacles to progress, the inbuilt idleness, the importance of routine. . . I'll be going back to 'The Restraint of Beasts' before long.

Freddie and I went to see Woking play on Saturday, his first game. Woking won 2-1, both Woking goals coming early when Freddie was still interested. He just about made it to half -time without getting too fidgetty, but spent the second half taking pictures of the crowd. Not much atmos, singing and activity at Woking to keep him occupied, unfortunately. Maybe we'll go to The Lane in a few years; I think The Stoop might be the next place to try. He did ask a lot of questions, most of which were difficult; 'Why are we clapping Daddy?'

'That was a very good cross, Freddie, it nearly connected.'

'What's a cross?'

'Oh. . . It's when one if the players hits the ball hard into the middle from the wing.'

'What wing?'

'Oh. . .  'the wing' is the side of the pitch.'

'Why?'

'Oh. . . It's just a description used for the sides of things sometimes. Like, erm. . . . Big houses. And prisons.'